STABBED TO DEATH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20324, 3 August 1929, Page 12

STABBED TO DEATH.

CRIME IN THE CITY

SUDDEN ATTACK ON MAN.

WOUNDED ON DOORSTEP

FOUND BY COMPANIONS.

POLICE MAKE AEEEST.

ALLEGATION OP MUEDEE

Stabbed in tho groin with a knife, Thomas Levy, aged 40, labourer, was fatally injured at the door of his house, 119, Nelson Street, shortly before seven o'clock last evening. George Caffrey, a quarter-caste negro, was later arrested by the police on .a charge of murder.

Levy lived in the house with two other men, David Carmody and George Frederick Cole. The house is a small one of four rooms, set slightly back from tho street. With another man, James Gallott, Levy, Carmody and Colo returned to tho house early in tho evening, and spent some timo there drinking in one of the front rooms. "I Have Been Stabbed." It is stated that shortly before seven o'clock, a knock was heard at tho front door of the house, and Levy left the room to answer it. Tho other three heard him in conversation with someone, and tho noise of a scuffle immediately afterwards. Hearing a cry "I have been stabbed," tho men rushed to tho door, and found Lovy lying on the doorstep with blood streaming from a wound in tho right groin.

There was then no sign of anyone in the vicinity. The men carried Levy into the house, and placed him upon a bed in the room which they had just vacated.

Efforts to stem the flow of blood were made, one of the men tearing up a shirt and applying it as a rough tourniquet. However, their efforts were of little use, the blood continuing to flow freely. Gaflotfc was sent to obtain a doctor, and for this purposo ho entered a nearby store to use the telephone.

Death on Way to Hospital. The St. John Ambulance brigade was summoned by the owner of tho store, the call being received by the station shortly before 7.30. The ambulance was met by Gallott at the corner of Cook and Hobs'on Streets, no time being lost in getting to the house. The ambulance officer, Mr. Arthur Langstone, found Levy lying on the bed, which was devoid of bedding or mattress. One of his companions was holding up his head and keeping tho tourniquet in place. It was impossible to move Levy, owing to his condition, and Mr. Langstone applied another and more efficient tourniquet. The man was then in a very low condition and his death occurred on the way to tho Auckland hospital. Prompt Action by Police.

In statements whicfi they have made to the police, Carmody, Cole and Gallott allege that prior to tho affair, entrance to the house was refused to a man who then went away.

Nothing was heard of the affair by neighbours, the first intimation that anything had occurred being the arrival of the ambulance. Detectives were on the scene shortly before eight o'clock. Following statements made by the men in the house, Detective Bickerdiko and Detective Moon went in search of Caffrev. They arrested him at a house in Wellington Street an hour and-a-half after the affair.

Two men were detained by the police in connection with the matter. Both Caff rev and the other man wcro questioned at. length at the polico station and subsequently tho other man was allowed to return to his home. Caflrey Lodged in Police Cells. Caffrey was charged with the murder of Levy and ho was placed in the cells at the police, station over-night. He will appear in the Police Couit this morning. The owner of tho store, Mr. John Preston, states that ho was approached by a man who informed him that a man had been " cut about " in a nearby hpuso and requested the uso of his telephone. The man asked him to ring up a doctor, but it was pointed out that tho matter was one for .tho police. Mr. Preston rang the Freeman's Bay police station, but the number was engaged. Ho then obtained communication \vith tho St. John Ambulance station and later with the central police station. Littlo is known of the men in the neighbourhood. The house was rented by Levy about four weeks ago and since then tho three havo been baching. Levy was a widower and was employed by tho Fletcher Construction Company, Limited. Ho was a tall man of modium build.